The Blue Devil Report from Fork Union Military Academy's Athletic Department is your source for weekly updates on the Fork Union Blue Devils. Here's the latest from @FUMAathletics.
Want to view past issues of the Blue Devil Report? Find them all on our website.
Contents:
- Fork Union Military Academy Names Football & Lacrosse Assistant Coach Mark Black President-Elect for the 2023-23 Academic Year as Coggins Announces Retirement
- FUMA Athletics Recap
- Feature Stories: Wrestling, PG Basketball & Prep Lacrosse
- Up Next in FUMA Athletics
- Kellen Colevas Earns All-State Third Team Honors
- Jordan Anderson Named to the All-Prep Basketball Team
- Have You Joined the Athletic Director's Club?
Fork Union Military Academy Names Football & Lacrosse Assistant Coach Mark Black President-Elect for the 2023-23 Academic Year as Coggins Announces Retirement
Colonel David L. Coggins, USMC (Ret.), Fork Union Military Academy's 11th President, has announced his intent to retire later this year. The Academy will celebrate Colonel Coggins' tenure in connection with Fork Union Military Academy's 125th Anniversary, which will be held on October 13-15, 2023. Colonel Coggins and his wife Kelli look forward to retiring to Florida and being able to spend more time with their family.
"The Academy appreciates Colonel Coggins' faithful leadership, particularly through the COVID pandemic," said Paige L. Pruett, Chairman of the Fork Union Military Academy Board of Trustees. "The Academy is blessed to have had the Colonel's vision and leadership, and we all are excited for him as he embarks on this next chapter of his life with Kelli."
"The Academy is a special place," Colonel Coggins adds, "and Kelli and I are glad to have been a part of it."
CAPT Mark E. Black, USN (ret.), has been named the 12th President of Fork Union Military Academy. CAPT Black will be designated as President-elect immediately and assume the role as President upon Colonel Coggins' retirement in the fall. CAPT Black is a current faculty member and coach and fully appreciates the Academy's dedication to "Body, Mind & Spirit". He currently serves as a teacher of US Military and War History, Leadership & Ethics, and U. S. Government in the Academy's unique One Subject Plan. In addition, CAPT Black also coaches lacrosse and football.
CAPT Black graduated from Virginia Military Institute with distinction. He was commissioned in the US Navy in 1986 and was designated as a Naval Flight Officer and is a graduate of the famed Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN). During his Navy career, he was selected to serve as a squadron commander and a wing commander before being assigned to lead all Naval personnel in Afghanistan as the NAVCENT Forward Afghanistan Officer in Charge. He was Commanding Officer and Professor of Naval Science at the University of Virginia's Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) Unit and came to the Academy from Fishburne Military School, where he served as Superintendent.
"Our world needs Fork Union Military Academy-now more than ever-and I am honored to have the opportunity to lead the Academy's in its mission of educating, developing and inspiring young men in a Christian, college prep, military environment," CAPT Black emphasized.
Paige Lester Pruett, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Fork Union Military Academy, extolled the elevation of CAPT Black to the position of President, saying, "CAPT Black is already a respected and admired teacher and coach-the Board is confident that he is uniquely suited to lead the Academy forward from its 125th Anniversary while preserving the Academy's traditional, Christian values."
Fork Union Military Academy is a leading Christian, college preparatory boarding school which utilizes the structure and discipline of a military academy system in order to maximize the potential and achievement of our young men. The Academy serves young men in grades 7-12 and postgraduates in the wonderful village of Fork Union in the heart of central Virginia. The Academy offers high-quality academics and athletics built on a foundation of traditional core values that helps build character development, self-discipline, responsibility, and leadership development skills.
Scores from the past two weeks:
Tuesday, February 28
- Prep Baseball at Albemarle High School (Scrimmage) • No Team Score
Wednesday, March 1
- PG Basketball vs. Experience Prep Academy • W, 93-82
Monday, March 6
- PG Basketball vs. TPLS Christian Academy • W, 100-78
- Prep Lacrosse at Fluvanna County • W, 8-7
Tuesday, March 7
- Prep Baseball vs. Buckingham County (Scrimmage) • No Team Score
Thursday, March 9
- Prep Baseball at Smith Mountain Lake Christian Academy • L, 4-5
Fork Union Sends Four Blue Devils to Prep Wrestling Nationals
Thursday, February 23, 2023
UPPER MARLBORO, MD – The Fork Union Military Academy wrestling program sent four Blue Devils to Prep Nationals at the Showplace Arena. Seniors Tommy Manganiello, Lucas Yates and Ethan Stroh competed, while eighth-grader Ronan Montes qualified as an alternate.
Manganiello, Yates and Stroh all competed in two matches with Yates advancing to a third match.
“It was an honor to go and represent the Virginia Prep League at the National Prep Wrestling Championship,” said first-year head coach Alton Terry. “We were battle-tested against some of the best in the nation. We didn’t go as far as we wanted to go but I’m proud of the way we went out there and gave 100%. Those guys left it all on the mat and they well be missed. Our seniors carried us the entire season and we appreciate all that they have done.”
Manganiello ended his senior campaign with second-place finishes in the Prep League and at the VISAA State Championships in the 150 weight class.
Yates finished with a second-place finish in the conference and a third-place finish in the state at the 157 weight class.
Stroh finished with a second-place finish in the conference and a fourth-place finish in the state at the 138 weight class.
Montes finished his first year at Fork Union, placing second at Prep Leagues and fifth at the VISAA State Championships in the 126 weight class.
Congratulations on a great season, gentlemen!
PG Basketball Wins Two Straight to End the Regular Season
Monday, March 6, 2023
FORK UNION, VA – The Fork Union Military Academy Postgraduate basketball program collected two-straight wins to end the regular season this past week. The Blue Devils defeated Experience Prep Academy, 93-82, on Wednesday, prior to defeating TPLS Christian Academy, 100-78, on Monday.
The wins lifted the Blue Devils to 17-13 on the season heading into the Phenom Hoops PG National Tournament this weekend.
Against Experience Prep, Carmelo Pacheco led Fork Union with an impressive 32 points, including five three-pointers, seven rebounds and five assists.
Against TPLS, guard Russell Branch put on a show, leading the way with 17 points, seven assists and two thunderous dunks.
"It was nice to win the last two regular season games heading into the postseason,” said head coach Bob Williams. “We saw some good things from a lot of players. Confidence is an important factor when readying for the postseason."
The Blue Devils will travel to Rock Hill, SC to face North Florida Prep in the first round of the Phenom Hoops PG National Tournament. Tip-off is set for 3 PM on Friday, March 10 at the Rock Hill Sports & Events Center.
Prep Lacrosse Opens Season with Nail-Biting Win at Fluvanna
Monday, March 6, 2023
PALMYRA, VA – The Fork Union Military Academy Prep lacrosse team defeated county-rival Fluvanna on a last second shot to secure an 8-7 victory Monday evening at Fluvanna County High School.
“It’s always great to start the season with a win especially against a local team,” said head coach Chip Chace. “I’m very proud of the effort and our ability to come from behind to win the game in the final seconds. We still have a lot of things to clean up before our next game but I’m very happy with where we are at this point in the season.”
The Blue Devils were led by senior Lucas Yates who recorded five goals, including the game-winner, and two assists. Jackson Sereno, Kian Perez and Michael Marandure also found the back of the net for Fork Union.
In goal, Daley Adams registered eight saves on the night.
Fork Union will return to action Friday, March 24 when it travels to Trinity Epsicopal School for a 4 PM matchup.
Please make sure you continue to check the athletic website on a weekly basis, for all game updates.
If you haven't already, please download the Fork Union Athletics Mobile App for all game day information right at your fingertips!
Up Next in FUMA Athletics:
Friday, March 10
- PG Basketbal vs. North Florida Prep (Phenom Hoops PG Nationals) • 3:00 PM
Saturday, March 11
- PG Basketball vs. Second Round (Phenom Hoops PG Nationals) • TBA
Sunday, March 12
- PG Basketball vs. Third Round (Phenom Hoops PG Nationals) • TBA
Tuesday, March 21
- Prep Baseball vs. Covenant School • 4:00 PM
Thursday, March 23
- Prep Baseball vs. Smith Mountain Lake Christian Academy • 4:00 PM
- Tennis at Saint Anne's Belfield • 4:15 PM
Friday, March 24
- Golf vs. Woodberry Forest School • 4:00 PM
- Prep Lacrosse at Trinity Episcopal School • 4:00 PM
Saturday, March 25
- Track & Field at Fluvanna County Invitational • 9:00 AM
Tuesday, March 28
- Golf at Randolph-Macon Academy • 4:00 PM
- Prep Baseball at Highland School • 4:30 PM
Wednesday, March 29
- Tennis at Blue Ridge School • 4:00 PM
Friday, March 31
- Prep Baseball at Grace Christian School • 4:00 PM
Kellen Colevas Earns All-State Third Team Honors
LYNCHBURG, VA – Fork Union Military Academy's Kellen Colevas earned All-State Third Team honors the VISAA Swimming & Diving State Committee announced following the 2023 VISAA Swimming & Diving Championships.
The freshman placed third overall on the 1-meter board to earn the honors.
"We first found out about Colevas' diving talents at cadet open swim," said head diving coach Samson Miller. "He was on the board doing flips and Coach Larson convinced him to try a dive practice. At his first practice, I immediately knew he had the potential to qualify for States. My goal was to teach him 11-dives and get him there, which is a huge accomplishment for an eighth-grader. However, Colevas was clearly aiming much higher and blew everyone away by placing third.
"Colevas has an unwavering self-belief and never gives up on his goals. He strives for excellence and goes the extra mile needed in order to be an All-State honoree. He is the first diver at practice everyday, setting up equipment for his teammates and getting in extra warm-up/stretching. Colevas trusts in the training process and that has allowed him to accomplish so much in one season. It's been an absolute pleasure to work with him and I can't wait for him to accomplish even greater things in the future."
Colevas is in his first year at the Academy. He is the son of Gregory and Anne Colevas of Arlington, Virginia.
Congratulations, Kellen!
Jordan Anderson Named to the All-Virginia Prep League Basketball Team
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA -- Senior Jordan Anderson of the Fork Union Military Academy Prep basketball team has been named to the All-Virginia Prep League team, the league announced Saturday, February 25.
Anderson averaged 13.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.3 blocks per game in his 14 games played this season. The senior has been a leader both on and off the court.
"Jordan was the consummate leader for us all season," said head coach Reggie Barnette. "While he is not the most vocal of players, his even keel demeanor and tireless work ethic was showcased every game played this season. You never want to see a young man like Jordan leave your program, but there is comfort knowing a successful future awaits him in any path he pursues."
Anderson is the son of Samantha Level and Jason Anderson of Palmyra, Virginia. He has been enrolled at the Academy for two years and plans to join the postgraduate basketball team this fall.
Congratulations, Jordan!
Follow us on Social Media!
THANK YOU!
Credits:
Kelly Barnette, Kim Black & Kristin Firewicz.